Let's Crochet A Christmas Tree

 

About 9 years ago, I mentioned to someone that I wanted to crochet a Christmas Tree. She said she had the perfect pattern, and she would email it to me.  As it turned out, the pattern she sent was from an unknown source. Someone had emailed it to her, and someone else had emailed it to that other person, through quite a few emails.  I have wanted to share this pattern for years, and finally thought to ask my friend, Kim Guzman, how I could go about doing it. I haven't ever done what the pattern I received said, and I changed a bunch of things, so Kim said I should be okay. I am not claiming this is my original pattern, but it is my own interpretation of the pattern...the original pattern calls for plaster of Paris, and a tuna can, and rebar, and washers! Not exactly things I think of grabbing when I grab my yarn!

Materials:

1 Skein of Worsted Weight Yarn...I use the Red Heart Super Saver...in your choice of color. I chose Green for the pictures, but I have made this tree in several "odd" colors.

H Hook

Yarn needle

The tree is worked from the top down. This allows you to make it as small or as large as you would like.  I have found 3 sections works nicely, for a child's tree. I prefer 4 or 5 sections for a table tree, and I have made a tree that was 7 sections. They tend to get unwieldy after 5 sections, and I am thinking that is why the original pattern had rebar and a base, to reinforce it.

Regardless of how many sections you choose to make, every section has the same Chain and Row 1. You can begin your circle with your favorite circle starting method. I choose to just do the chain 4, since it doesn't have to be a closed hole, and you won't ever see it, once you have built your tree. I will give you a stitch count for each row of each tier, but keep in mind that is a guide. If it says you need 150 stitches on a row, don't fret if you end up with 145 or even 160. stitch count is not set in stone here, and your tree will look fine.  I will also tell you to turn at the end of each row. This is not required. I have done trees with turns, trees without turns, and a few where both happened. it DOES look different, so this might be something you experiment with and decide what you like.

Tree Top Tier

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Your chain 2 will count as your first stitch from here on. Add 4 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 5. 5 DC in each SC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (50 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Add 2 more DC in that first stitch. 3 DC in each DC around circle. Join with a slip stitch and fasten off. (150 DC)

Second Tier: Remember, this is the second tier from the top.

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Add 1 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 2 DC. 2 DC in each SC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (20 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Add 2 more DC to the first stitch, for a total of 3 DC. 3 DC in each DC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (60 DC)

Row 4: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 3. Fasten off. (180 DC)

Third Tier:  Remember this is the 3rd tier from the top, working down.

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Add 1 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 2 DC. 2 DC in each stitch around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (20 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (40 DC)

Row 4: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (60 DC)

Row 5: Chain 2 and turn. Add 2 more DC to the first stitch for a total of 3 DC. 3 DC in each DC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. Fasten off. (180 DC)

Fourth Tier: Remember this is the fourth tier from the top working down.

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Add 1 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 2 DC. 2 DC in each stitch around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (20 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (40 DC)

Row 4: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (80 DC)

Row 5: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (160 DC)

Row 6: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. Fasten off. (320 DC)

To do additional tiers, repeat the fourth tier, with an additional row for each tier. For example, if you do five tiers, your fifth tier will have seven rows, six tiers will have eight rows and so on. 

Tree assembly: 

This isn't going to be easy.  The way the tiers curl up makes it difficult to get them attached and looking nice without flattening out your tree. Be patient! 

Start with Tier 4 or your bottom tier. Center the next tier up, and stitch together with your yarn needle, being careful not to flatten your tree too much. Add the next tier up and repeat, stitching together until you get to the treetop section. Sewing this section on can be a real pain in the neck, since it doesn't lie flat at all. Keep trying until your tree is sewn together securely and to your liking.

***I'll be adding a video to this post, to help explain assembly, either today or tomorrow. I will also be adding decoration ideas.

Mug Rugs!

Hmmm, mug rugs! They've been around for a very long time. I recently joined a new yarn group, on MeWe, and they are all the rage!  Maybe they are all the rage everywhere! Regardless of popularity, it doesn't get much cuter!

I made this one using the pattern I found over at Yarn & Chai. I asked Lee to pick out 5 colors of cotton yarn, and that is what I used! It was super easy, and super fun! I am considering making a set of mug rugs, that will sort of match. I can see taking a different yarn, and making it Yarn A, for each rug...my yarn A was orange, and it is completely outside of my comfort zone, to have so much orange in something...and so little PURPLE!!  Haahaahaa!!  It just worked out that way.

Over at Yarn & Chai, she says to tape down your ends and trim them. I found that to be a waste of resources. I used my cutting mat, quilting ruler (any straight edge will work), and cutting wheel. Sloop, sloop, and the ends were all nicely trimmed and my mug rug was ready to use!

How To Make A Nylon Pot Scrubber

 About 7 years ago, I started selling crochet items at the local farmers market. The director kept asking me to make pot scrubbers. I resisted for 2 months, thinking every pattern I had seen was pretty ugly. Then it occurred to me, the poof was not the way to go! I could just make 2 circles and attach them together.

It worked! I took some pot scrubbers to the next market, and they were a hit!! I no longer sell at the market, but people hunt me down to buy my scrubbies!! They are a HUGE hit at Christmas time, especially with the ladies at church!

So what's the deal with these things, anyway? These pot scrubbies are simply amazing! I made them in 2 sizes, for about a year. I made some 1 round larger, but I decided this size is best. You can make them larger, if you like.

To begin to make a pot scrubber, you need tulle. Yep, the stuff you think of when you think cute little ballerina tutu!! Okay, so not quite the same stuff, you want tulle with a bigger open net. You'll want a tulle that is softer enough to be pliable, yet stiff than the tutu skirt.  I usually buy my tulle in 10 yard segments, since that creates long pieces of tulle to work with. You can buy any amount you want, but I try to avoid 5 yard segments... The knots hit right where you don't want them, almost every scrubbie. So guess how much of this bright green I bought! 5 yards!! Yeah, I didn't plan that well. 

Once you have purchased your tulle, you'll want to refold it. You don't have to refold it, you will just have 45 inch long strips. If you fold it the other way, it takes a few minutes but you'll have longer strips and fewer knots.  

Lay the folded tulle on a cutting mat and cut it into 2 inch wide strips. You don't need to have a fancy cutting wheel and mat for this part, your scissors will work just fine! It's just a little faster with the cutter and wheel.

 After you have cut your strips, tie them together with simple granny knots. This is one of the very rare times you will see me tell you to tie a knot. Knots are not my friends. Roll the strips into a ball as you tie them together. 

Now you're ready to make your scrubbie!